'Polls imposed on India'

The NDA feels there is a `feel good', but when there is drought, what kind of `feel good' is this," Shinde asked.

Claiming that there was no apparent reason for the early Lok Sabha elections, Maharashtra Chief Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Friday claimed the BJP-led NDA government has imposed these (Lok Sabha) polls on the country.

HT Image

"What is the reason for early elections? Is there a war with any country? Is there emergency or any financial crisis in the country? Nothing but BJP's victory in three states assembly polls last year has brought us to this elections," Shinde told a public meeting at Goregaon in Raigad district this afternoon.

"It is an insult to the people of India," Shinde said while addressing the rally for Congress-NCP-RPI candidate from Kulaba constituency A R Antulay.

"The NDA government feels there is a `feel good' in the country, but when there is drought, what kind of `feel good' is this," Shinde asked.

"BJP manifesto in 1990 was about change in Article 370, India as `Hindu Rashtra' and Ram Mandir at Babri site with the country free from corruption, poverty etc," the Chief Minister said adding, "but when BJP didn't get absolute majority, they have formed alliance with George Fernandes, Jayalalithaa, Chandrababu and kept their manifesto aside."

"And now, Advani says Article 370 is our natural right, Venkaiah Naidu says `Hindu Rashtra' is our aim," Shinde said.